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Easy Vanilla Earl Grey Crème Brûlée…sweet, creamy, and extra crackly. Crème brûlée infused with warming, citrusy earl grey tea and sweet vanilla bean for a deliciously cozy twist on the classic French dessert. Finish each baked custard with a dusting of sugar and caramelize it until the sugar slowly burns into a beautiful crackly brûlée top. Use a spoon to crack into the creamy custard base. Every last spoonful is creamy with just the slightest bit of crunch – truly delicious. Bonus? It’s simpler to make than you’d think, and so very pretty…with very little effort.
You guys!! I finally made crème brûlée! This has been a “bucket” list recipe for me for ages. In December I told myself, I’m going to make crème brûlée…and then I talked myself out of it. My biggest hesitation has always been with the fact that crème brûlée is just that, it’s crème brûlée. Everyone has a recipe for it. But what would make mine different and just a little more special?
That’s how I think of recipes, how can I make something just a touch more special?
In terms of crème brûlée, I knew I wanted to be able to keep it pretty classic and simple. The thing I love most about crème brûlée is the warm, crackly brûlée top and then the creamy custard underneath. I didn’t want any of that to change, so I knew whatever my twist would be, it needed to be subtle.
For the longest time I just didn’t have a good idea, so I guess that’s why I held off on creating a crème brûlée recipe for you guys.
But then a couple of weeks ago, I finally figured it out.
Do you guys remember that Earl Grey Blueberry Lemon Cake? It’s delicious, if you have yet to make it, you should definitely give it a try.
Anyway, I was steeping the milk for that recipe and that got me thinking about what else I could infuse a little earl grey tea into. And then it hit, what about crème brûlée?
The second I thought about it, I knew I at least had to test it out. So I did, then I made a few little tweaks, and now we’ve got this easy vanilla earl grey crème brûlée
Here are the details.
Despite what you might think, crème brûlée is actually very simple and easy to make.
First, you’ll steep the cream and earl grey tea. I like to use four tea bags, but if you want a very subtle earl grey flavor, use three bags. Allow the tea to steep for ten or so minutes.
While the tea is steeping, I like to mix the eggs with a bit of sugar. Then, you’ll pour the hot tea-infused cream into the eggs. The key here is to consistently whisk the yolks with the hot cream., You don’t want to end up with scrambled eggs!
Divide the batter between oven-safe ramekins and bake. It really is as simple as that. Once the custards come out of the oven, let them chill for at least four hours or oven night. They will be jiggly, but once chilled, they will be perfect.
And lastly, that brûléed sugar topping…the best part!
Just sprinkle some granulated sugar over each custard, then use your broiler or a blow torch to caramelize the sugar. As the sugar heats, it melts down and will then harden.
Use a spoon to crack into each crème brûlée and then enjoy immediately while the top is still warm and the underneath is a nice cool creamy custard.
This is one of those desserts that really is delicious with every last spoonful.
And that’s it…simple, pretty, perfectly sweet, so creamy, but with just the right crinkly, crackled top…SO GOOD! Every bite is subtly sweet, creamy, and hinted with vanilla, plus citrusy notes of lemon and orange.
Perfection beyond belief.
Happiest Tuesday night baking to you all! Hope you guys all enjoy this twist on crème brûlée.
Looking for other fun dessert recipes? Here are some favorites:
Salted Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie Snickers Bars
Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies
Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Zucchini Bread
Lastly, if you make this easy vanilla earl grey crème brûlée. be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Vanilla Earl Grey Crème Brûlée
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 696 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3-4 bags earl grey tea
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- 1. Bring the cream and salt to a low boil in a small saucepan until steaming. Remove from the heat. Add the tea bags, cover, and steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the tea bags, gently squeezing the bags to release a bit more tea into the cream. Discard the tea bags. 2. Arrange an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325• F. Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil.3. Whisk together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar (use 1/2 cup for a sweeter palate) in a medium bowl until combined. 4. Place the steeped cream over medium heat and gently warm until steaming. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. In a slow stream, whisk about 1/2 cup of the cream into the egg yolks, whisking constantly so they don’t scramble. Whisk in the remaining cream. 5. Place the ramekins inside a large lasagna-style baking dish. Divide the batter between 4 (6 ounce) ramekins or 3 (8-ounce). Fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30 (smaller ramekins) to 40 minutes (larger ramekins), until centers are barely set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours and up to a couple of days.6. When ready to eat, top each with 1-2 teaspoons of sugar. Place the ramekins under the broiler and broil until the sugar melts, browns, and then blackens a little, about 5 minutes. Or use a blow torch. Crackle that sugar and enjoy immediately 🙂
Turned out so amazing!! I feel like a chef, the earl grey gave it the perfect dimensional taste.
Thank you for always helping me explore new types of foods to make outside my comfort zone!
Hi Lauren,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend!🍁
Made this for a dinner party and it was a hit!! Perfect amount of earl grey flavor I added vanilla bean for those beautiful flecks!
Hi Carmen,
Fantastic!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
A delicious crowd pleaser – easy to make! Will be making again for sure 🙂
Hey Haley,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Made this today, as my first attempt at crème brûlée, and it was so easy! It was a project with our nine year old, and he was so proud of our success! Will definitely make it again.
Hey Eva,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! Have the best week!? xT
Absolutely love this recipe!! It’s a huge crowd pleaser.
I’m a huge fan of earl grey tea, so I added an extra teabag to give it a bit more punch. But I think the flavour of the tea really comes out in baking so don’t worry in the cream doesn’t taste particularly strong. My oven also runs hot so with small ramekins I only needed about 20 minutes.
Hi Michelle,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Made this! Love this!! My first time. I was always so scared of creme brûlée but this was amazing!
Hey Sydney,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Great flavor but the custard curdled during baking. Only four stars because it wasn’t as easy as I thought it’d be. Otherwise, obviously just me not having skills in baking!
Hi Taylor,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear about the custard! xTieghan
Such a great recipe! My new favorite dessert, thank you so much!
Hey Carrie,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! ☘️xx
This was a hit at a dinner party I made it for! I did use loose Earl Grey tea instead of bagged and found that made it so much more flavourful. And now i wanna try it using all different sorts of teas! Also added orange zest while steeping and topped with blackberries. Will definitely be a go to dessert.
Hi Dayna,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear that it was a hit!! xTieghan
I’m sorry if someone else already asked this, but I didn’t see it when I scrolled through comments. Can other tea be used in place of earl gray? I have matcha powder and English breakfast tea on hand.
Hi Kendall,
I would probably use the English breakfast tea. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Made this with my husband a couple of months ago and it came out great! He liked it so much he keeps asking me to make it again!
Hi Falon,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Ammmmmazing! Instead of earl grey, I used Bigelow vanilla chai tea bags and holy wow! Lots of whole, but still subtle, flavor. I also used real vanilla bean instead of the extract. I think it really kicked things up a notch from the standard recipe I’ve tried before. Thanks so much!?
Hey Meg,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed. Have a great Saturday! xTieghan
How much real vanilla bean did you use instead of the extract?
David, I used two whole beans! I think one would work though 🙂
I love this recipe! It is so easy and simple!
Hey Johanna,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
What teacups did you use?
I followed this recipe exactly and it was way too sweet, I think I’ll try 1/4 cup sugar next time. I love earl grey but neither my partner nor I could taste the slightest hint of earl grey even after steeping 4 bags in the steamed cream for 15 mins. Sort of feels like a waste of those tea bags. I didn’t have any success with the broiler method either. I preheated the broiler for a long time and put it in for 7 mins but the sugar came out barely solidified, not entirely melted and crumbly, almost like the top of a Dutch apple pie.
Thanks for giving the recipe a try Ivy! Please let me know how I can help for next time! xTieghan
I made these for thanksgiving (I’m in canada) last year and it was a huge hit! It was my first time doing creme brûlée and it was pretty simple. They have the perfect amount of subtle early grey. I just made them again for thanksgiving again, they’re currently in the oven. Thanks for the recipe that has become a family favourite!
Hi there! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, hope you have a lovely week! xTieghan
This recipe is so easy and so easy to follow. I used 4 bags of Numi aged earl grey tea and that left a strong earl grey flavor. I will be making this again!
Hey Sunny,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
If I can’t make this dairy, do u think I’m better off with whipping cream (like Rich’s whip) or can I use almond milk? Thoughts?
Hi Sarah,
Sorry, I don’t think either of those options will give the results you are looking for. You could try using a coconut cream! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan